GOVERNMENT SERVICES UNION LOCAL 20008

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

19 November 2002

1.The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Phil Robinson Local President.
2.Roll Call of Officers: Phil Robinson - President Jack Seto - V/President Barbara Timewell - V/President Barbara Timewell - A/Secretary Tom Gallagher - Treasurer Rand Ameye - Area Council Delegate Bill Pleming - Area Council Delegate Absent: Joe Selinger - V/President
Guests: Mark Brunell, National President, GSU and Bob Graves, RVP, GSU
Welcome new members: Jeanne LaRocque and DJ Lawrence
20 members of GSU Local 20008 in attendance. Sign in sheet attached.
Phil introduced the special guests, Mark Brunell, National President of the Government Services Union and Bob Graves, RVP, GSU.
3.The Agenda was amended to include the following:
Reordering and addition of agenda items. Item 4 Business Arising from previous AGM minutes added Item 14 Other Business reordered agenda item to appear after Committee Reports
Move to adopt the Agenda as amended.	Moved Jack Seto Seconded John Dougherty
Motion Carried with amendment to agenda
4.Motion to adopt the minutes of the Previous Annual General Meeting with one amendment	Larry Ghini moved to adopt with one amendment
Financial Reports to be presented to membership prior to AGM	Moved Larry Ghini Seconded Dawn McRae
	Carried
5. New Business Arising from Previous Minutes
Item # 8 on previous AGM minutes Local GSU 20008 Web Site that was incorporated in to the bylaws.
Update on item # 8 from previous AGM minutes and bylaws business arising from previous AGM, the Executive is continuing to work with the National office to establish a free web site as soon as possible. Mark Brunell recounted recent discussions and said that the site could be up by next spring at the latest. Further discussions are ongoing on this topic.
No other business arising from previous AGM
6. Presidents Report - Phil Robinson Presidents Report 2001-2002

At the last AGM you again chose me to serve as your President for another term, Thank you, so now I have to tell you what the executive, and I have done in this term.

On the representational front :- Brother Joe Selinger has done most of the grievance representation, with some success, Thank you Joe. More representatives would be a great help, the Surrey office, Annacis Island, Pacific Border Crossing, and each floor of 800 Burrard where we have members.

I am not at all happy to report that the Implementation Officers problems with management have still not been resolved. Though it does appear that management is now moving it will be some time before we see the final result.

The training and advisory officers have made some progress, earlier this year their level was upgraded to AS-03.

I have also represented one member through an appeal process, the results of which I expect shortly.

Though it has no bearing on this local I will report that I have during this year represented four members of the Union of Solicitor General's Employees in their appeals. Their usual rep had a heart attack, he is fortunately back to work, but it does illustrate vividly a problem every union has, the shortage of people trained to help their fellow workers. You may not think you have the ability, I didn't, I'm still of the opinion that I need far more training, but there is a need for more representatives in every field. The union will train you, and pay you to learn, the local will in most cases match what PSAC pays you. When you take the responsibility on to represent your brother or sister you are not alone, the other trained officers at the local, the GSU HQ, the PSAC regional office, are all their to assist, when you win the satisfaction is all yours, and yes we do win some. There are those who think that if you do such work management will be "out to get you", I have to say that I have found the opposite to be true, you get respected.

I am presently the only trained GSU appeals rep in BC, so there are opportunities for advancement !!, and it would be a great help to me if there were more.

Financially, you will get the treasurers report next, our treasurer is leaving this year so please thank him for his years of service to you, we are still sound, and we now have a small but growing strike fund thanks to your actions at our last AGM. Before I give away all brother Thomas Gallagher's report I'll move to the next topic.

On the social calendar :- We, that is you, have supported the Winter Ball; the Annual Golf game; and the picnic in the park; I hope you all enjoyed those social events, you know all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, it probably does Jill no good either! Which gives me a chance to plug this years Winter Blast 2002, Saturday December 21, 2002, Firefighters Banquet Hall, Burnaby, [incidentally this being the shortest day of the year means it's the longest night so you can really enjoy] good food, good music, good fun, let your hair down for an evening.

This year saw the first triennial convention of GSU, brother Jack Seto and I attended as your representatives, Jack served, that should read WORKED, on the finance committee ( if you have any questions about the budget ask him), he, and the committee did work very hard, and long hours to ensure no dues increase.

I served on the by-laws committee, co-chair of that committee was Brother Bob Graves, so if you have complaints about by laws talk to him! I was not responsible for anything ! We discussed, dissected, and beat to death 44 resolutions before the committee in three days, some fortunately were simple to dispose of, but some took quite a while.

If you have the opportunity, which you have by getting involved, then elected, the knowledge, and experience gained at conventions is priceless, Mark runs a good meeting, and in committee you get to work with some very experienced people. An education.

We elected our National Officers, Mark Brunell President; Jean-Paul Fortin; Bill Denis; Susan Lambert; Vice Presidents, and a new National Officer, Wilma Findlay as Equity Officer, congratulations to all. Closer to home our neighbors on the island have a new RVP Elizabeth McCormick, our old friend Jack Gale has gone into (we hope temporary) retirement from the work of the union we wish him and Elizabeth our best, and thank Jack for his many years of service. We in the lower mainland retain our RVP brother Bob Graves who after all these years of work must be starting to feel like a certain rabbit, he just keeps going and going and ...... .

I know there are many who believe that such conventions are drunken revels from arrival to departure, and if you saw some of the departing participants it would appear to be true, but three days of committee work, and three days of convention is sufficient to cause the appearance, and feeling, of a really severe hangover. I will confess there were moments of fun also. At least it only happens once every three years.

That covers the past, now the future, tonight you get to elect a new executive, this is not going to be an elect me speech, it is a request, a plea perhaps that you consider what you want from your union, and how you can influence it's future. I've said it before, it is your union if you don't run it who will. The RDG has suggested that people think that unions are irrelevant in the 21st century, I suggest that will be true if you each and every one of you decide that it is true. We have seen this present government take apart the laws that protect the most vulnerable in our communities, dismantle rules which protect workers, in the name of greater efficiency. Who if not unionized workers will stop further erosion of your rights, don't believe for a moment that the law which protects you today will do so tomorrow if no one defends it, the stoke of a pen can take it away; but not if thousands of union workers say NO.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the past year.

7. Report of the Treasurer and Item 9 on Agenda Combined Presentation of Treasurers' report and budget
your budget for this past year 2002 approved at the AGM in November of 2001
Presentation & Approval of the Budget for 01.11.01 - 31.10.02
Meetings $ 1,500.00 Training 1,000.00 GSU Convention 400.00 Communications 750.00 (PO Box, Supplies, Web Site) Honoraria 1,200.00 Expenses 400.00 (Executive, Stewards) Area Council 100.00 (Vancouver & Surrey) Appeals/Grievances 1,000.00 Other 800.00 (Rec Cttee - 800 Burrard) 200.00 (Other Sites) 400.00 (Charitable Donations) $ 7,750.00
Actual Expenses for fiscal year November 1, 2001 to October 31, 2002
Meetings $ 430.00 Training $ 250.00 GSU Convention $ 400.00 Communications $ 101.65 (PO Box, Supplies, Web Site) Honoraria $ 0.00 Expenses $ 187.00 (Executive, Stewards) Area Council $ 27.00 (Vancouver & Surrey) Appeals/Grievances $ 0.00 Other Social $900.00 (Rec Cttee - 800 Burrard) (Other Sites) $ 0.00(Charitable Donations) Total $ 2295.65 (these numbers are not finalized, a final audit report is forthcoming)
Your approved Budget for this year. Proposed Budget for 2003.
Expenditures Meetings $ 1000.00 Training $ 1000.00 Conventions $ 400.00 Communications$ 500.00 Expenses $ 800.00 Area Council $ 250.00 Appeals $ 500.00 Social $ 600.00 Charity $ 200.00 Total $ 5250.00
Income General Fund Dues 220 x $ 1.25 x 12 = $ 3,300.00 Strike Fund 220 x $ 2.50 x 12 = $ 6,600.00 = $ 9,900.00	Moved for adoption by Thomas Gallagher Seconded by Larry Ghini.
	Budget approved and carried
Discussion and Questions regarding the budget and membership dues followed the presentation of the budget.
8. Auditors Report - Presented by Larry Ghini to Bob Graves
Bob: Andre and I reviewed 20008's financial records on April 16. While the budget was not overspent, there were a few items that caused us some concern: 1. There are no Minutes of Exec meetings that can be referred to back-up expenditure authorization. 2. Many cancelled cheques are missing. 3. A few cheques were raised without receipts evident. 4. Up-to-date financial statements/reconciliations are not made available at the monthly Exec Meeting. We reported the above to the Exec Meeting held Apr 17. (I believe that it is your duty to ensure the Local Executive complies to the bylaws. To date, there seems to be much room for improvement. You might want to ensure that lapses do not occur going forward.) FYI- We also questioned the propriety of Local funds being used to pay a $35 parking ticket. We let this pass because the individual in question did not put in a mileage claim to cover his trip in from Surrey. All that said, Andre and I will sign off on the Financial Report as soon as Tom tidies up his numbers and completes the appropriate GSU reporting form.
	Moved to accept report Larry Ghini
Report approved and Carried	Seconded Bill Pleming.
Discussion topic, do we need to have receipts for financial expenses that are approved at Executive Meetings?
Question Regarding political contributions by the local and if GSU/PSAC is politically endorsing one party over another?
Answer Bob Graves responded. No we do not.
9. Other New Business
Larry Ghini brought a motion regarding an all employee email sent regarding the possibility of having our AG meetings during working hours. This still has to be negotiated with management at each work site as this is an agreement in principle only.
Larry Ghini amended his motion that the local has their next AGM during working hours. Discussion about room size and costs to the local ensued. The next executive will make note of this item for the next AGM.	Moved by Larry Ghini Seconded by Jeanne LaRocque Passed and carried.
DJ Lawrence questioned a brochure he received regarding PSAC urging membership to endorse certain political parties and candidates. Was it sent out from the National office using our staff and money? Mark Brunnel will investigate. This is also a topic that should be discussed at the Area Council meetings.
Discussions ensued.
Susan Fraser asked if any of the executive reports would include OSH items.
There will be an election of an OSH Co-Chair tonight. That person would be responsible for reporting OSH items at the AGM.
Concern was raised about cancellation of OSH job training for employees. Training that is imperative to the job. Bob Graves is our representative on ROSH and will include this topic in further discussions at that level.
10. BY LAW AMENDMENTS
Amendment # 1
Whereas Local 20008 is hard pressed to find Officers dedicated enough to responsibly carry out their assigned duties nor even attend monthly Executive meetings (several have been cancelled for lack of a quorum) and Whereas a dysfunctional Local Executive is of little use to any one; Be it resolved that Bylaw 6.1 be amended to read "The Executive Committee of this Local shall consist of one President, one Vice-President/Chief Shop Steward, one Secretary and one Treasurer." Be it further resolved, each Annual General Meeting is authorized to combine the post of Secretary and Treasurer for a period of one year. This initiative to combine would have to moved/seconded/carried by simple majority prior to elections being held. Be it further resolved, any other member who wishes to be active in the Local, put his/her name forward at the AGM to be considered for Shop Steward. All nominees must be ratified a majority show of hands. Shop Stewards would report to the Vice President/Chief Shop Steward and be assigned mutually agreed duties in support of the fostering an active Local presence in the workplace. Be it further resolved that pertinent clauses/references in the rest of the existing bylaws be amended to reflect the above will of the members.	Moved by Larry Ghini Seconded by Arnold Bennett Discussion followed Amendment defeated
Amendment 2
The following was a problem experienced by John Hatton and other members of the GSU Local 20008 A motion was put forward at the Annual General Meeting and was defeated by majority vote. 3. Agenda Item :- Future calls for special meetings prior to members having access to minutes or even contents. (a) Members having knowledge of General Meeting minutes before the majority of members had chance to view contents of General meeting and calling a special meeting. (b) Special meeting was called which is according to bylaws, i.e. 25% or 30 members. Minutes of General meeting had not been provided, how would these members know of the contents in order to call a special meeting. (c) If the bylaw stays as is then minutes of any such meeting should be distributed within the the 30 day required period.
Suggested bylaw change. GSU 20008 By Laws. By-Law 9 Meetings. e) A Special Membership Meeting shall be called at the request of a majority of the Local Executive or at the written request of 25% of the membership or 30 members( whichever is less.).
General Membership will have access to any meeting minutes prior to any call for special meeting request being accepted, (Within the 30 day specified period). The Local Executive shall decide the time and place, but, it shall be held within a period of thirty (30) calendar days of the request. A special meeting shall deal only with the matters for which it was called unless the members present agree by a two-thirds majority to consider other matters of an urgent or necessary nature.	Moved by John Hatton Seconded by Arnold Bennett
Discussion followed. Bob Graves clarified the amendment
Amendment to add the word "relevant" in front of meeting minutes.	Amended by law Moved by Larry Ghini Seconded by DJ Lawrence. Approved and Carried.
Question Distribution of Emails. Can we use the email for sending all information to membership. Currently no, we are restricted to using it for AGM items and executive items only.
Can we ask since Email in how the electronic Bulletin board can we ask management to concur and start using email as our main tool for distribution of information. Item to be brought up at LUMCC and PMC. 11. Mark Brunell spoke on several relevant topics for the Local and the national GSU. Mark also gave Atta Boys to Bob, Phil and Jack for their work at the GSU Convention held October 25 to 29 in Halifax.
Question regarding payment of taxes on interest cheque from Pay Equity. The item is in discovery right now, nothing new but check the national PSAC web site for further bulletins.
12. Report from Bob Graves

GSU RVP PACIFIC REPORT 2002

The following is a few notes I've made about the past year as one of the GSU RVP in Pacific Region.

1. PSAC Strike: The good was the support that GSU members provided to the PSAC bargaining teams; your actions and support did improve the collective agreement. I did hear negative comments about the inconsistent strike communications and the difficulty in some sites in BC in maintaining an effective picket line due to different tables being out at different times. This needs to be addressed if job action is requested during the upcoming round of bargaining.

2. GSU Triennial Convention: This was our 1st triennial convention as a new component of the PSAC and it was a very well run and productive convention. Some of the highlights were:

1. Mark Brunell was re-elected as our component President.

2. Jean Paul Fortan, Bill Dennis and Suzanne Lambert were re-elected as National Vice- Presidents.

3. Elizabeth McCormick & I were elected as RVP for Pacific Region.

4. A new position on the National Council was created with the duties of Equity Representative for the component; Wilma Findlay was elected to that position.

5. The convention permitted Communication Canada representative Ray Zawike to be seated as a delegate to the convention. PSAC members working for Communication Canada recently voted to have GSU represent them.

6. All 10 life members from the former UPWE & SSU components were in attendance throughout the convention. The three recently elected life members of GSU were also in attendance.

7. Re-distribution of available funds will allow the members to be better represented while not increasing member's dues.

3. Bargaining Input: The next round of bargaining will start very soon with the components bargaining committee looking for input likely in Dec.. or Jan.

4. Safety & Health: Safety & Health has been front and center in the region with the department establishing a corporate structure with a Regional Manager providing much needed direction and control. This was especially import with the changes to the Part 2 of the Canada Labour Code. Safety and Health Reps seminar spend one entire day respectively debating this topic.

5. Union/Management: The effectiveness of the formal local & regional meetings range from fair to good in this region. Informal meetings and discussions are required more and more do to the inconsistent management commitment to the Union/Management process. The main focus was to ensure our members concerns and issues form part of the departments programs of revitalization and renewal such as Leadership, Diversity, Respect, and continuous learning. On the local level especially on the lower mainland more management commitment and accountability is needed. At the regional level management needs to involve the union earlier in the development of programs policies and changes to ensure these changes are communicated more effectively to members. The RUMC Seminar coming on Dec. 4 to 6 , 2002 will focus on Building relationships with a specific interest in understanding what we as union members expect from the management and to understand what they need to have us understand about their issues. Sounds very basic but if you can establish a base from which to hold each other accountable to then we can better understand how to get to the best solution for all.

To the members of GSU; a difference can be made if you get involved with your union.

Respectively submitted by,

Bob Graves,RVP Pacific

14. Nomination and Election of Area Council Delegate(s)Vancouver and Surrey

15.Nomination and Election of Auditors.

16. Distruction of Ballots

No ballots used all position filled by acclamation.

17.The Oath of Office was administered to the new Local Executive Officers of GSU 20008 by Mark Brunell, President, GSU.

___________________________ ____________________________

Phil Robinson (President) Recorded by Barbara Timewell

(A/Secretary)